Michigan State University Department of Forestry, Lab of Forest-Atmosphere Interactions

The Michigan State Department of Forestry is pleased to announce two postdoctoral positions in Forest Ecosystem and Earth Systems Science investigating how changing forest structure and function influence atmospheric circulation and ultimately impact Ecoclimate Teleconnections*.

Successful candidates will possess and demonstrate relevant interest and skills in ecological and or atmospheric research. We encourage applicants with backgrounds in ecology, earth or atmospheric sciences, remote sensing, or similar (though outstanding candidates with other backgrounds will be considered). Positions will focus on investigating carbon-cycle and forest dynamics with LiDAR Remote Sensing and investigating forest-atmosphere energy balance with approaches spanning remote sensing to field observations. Thus, some examples of relevant skills that would support research in these positions include data analysis and manipulation using tools such as R, IDL, matlab, Python, or similar, experience with remote sensing products, field studies on forest ecophysiology or function, and or experience with ecosystem models.

Successful candidates will play a significant role in ongoing research funded by the National Science Foundation of the USA MacroSystems Biology program into ecoclimate teleconnections in the anthropocene. Ongoing work focuses on consequences and feedbacks from forest loss in North and South America, takes an integrative approach, with close collaboration between researchers at the University of Arizona (Breshears, Saleska, Moore), the University of Washington (Swann), and internationally at the Brazilian institutions of INPE, INPA, UFOPA, Embrapa, and the Colombian University of Antioquia.

Successful candidates will be expected to participate in weekly group project meetings and weekly one-on-one work progress meetings with SC Stark. The submission of at least one first authored paper addressing or strongly synergistic with core project objectives per year of the postdoc and participation in additional multi-author publications is expected. Reappointment for as many as two years may be possible subject to performance and funding availability.

Submit materials to jobs.msu.edu (#3738), consideration will begin 9/15/2016. The application should be uploaded as a single PDF document with a (i) one to two page cover letter and statement of career objectives and interest in the position, (ii) a full current CV, (iii) the names, positions, and contacts of 3 reference writers, and (v) one published or submitted manuscript with primary authorship by the applicant. If the upload file size limit is unavoidably surpassed, separately email manuscript to scott.c.stark@gmail.com.

MSU is an equal opportunity employer and the MSU Department of Forestry and the Laboratory of Forest-Atmosphere Interactions are committed to promoting diversity in research.